On a summer visit to Osaka, Japan, we met a 95-year-old granddad, a former heart doctor.
He lives a creative and community-based life. He shows us how to age with grace and liveliness.
Here are his eight key practices for a long and joyful life:
Morning Walks:
The grandparents are up at dawn, starting their walk at 5 a.m. They go for 30 minutes to an hour, getting at least 7,000 steps.
They vary their routes, from hilly paths near Minoh Falls to around the Ikeda area, beginning each day with energy.
Purposeful Exercise:
After the morning walk, he does specific exercises.
This includes stretching, strengthening, and balance exercises, changed daily to his abilities, making sure he moves actively but not too much.
Social Media Connection:
After exercising, he spends time on Facebook and Instagram connecting with his loved ones.
Knowing that being alone can make older adults lonely, he uses this time online to keep up with his friends all over the world, including grandkids in the USA.
